The Imperialist Presidents

YES!!! These are the same guys!

TR’s ‘Big Stick’ Diplomacy• Advocated the use of America’s power on

the world stage• Didn’t have to worry too much about

Congress or the Supreme Court

• ‘Civilized Nations’ v. ‘Uncivilized Nations’– ‘white’ & economically developed v. ‘non-white’

& non-industrial (Japanese as an honorary white people)

– ‘civilized’ nations had the right & duty to intervene to ‘preserve stability & order’

Interests in Asia

• Russo-Japanese War– TR wanted to prevent either side from gaining too

much dominance– Negotiated the Treaty of Portsmouth & secret

agreement with the Japanese to allow continued US trade in Asia

• Japan began to exclude American trade from parts of China

• Great White Fleet toured the globe as an indirect showing of American military power

America’s Pond – Latin America• At the turn of the 20th century European

intervention in Latin America was increasing due to business relationships

• Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine– The US can oppose European intervention in Latin

America– The US can intervene in domestic affairs in Latin

America, if they could not maintain order• Panama Canal

– Supported a Panamanian revolution in order to gain rights to the canal

– Many people died of Yellow Fever in the process

Dollar Diplomacy• Used by President Taft in Latin America• Wanted to extend US economic interests

(investments) overseas – specifically in Latin America

• Nicaragua– US supported insurgents & seized customs

houses– Gave loans to the new government– Used US troops later to protect pro-American

government (and its business interests)

Wilson as an Imperialist• Establish near military rule over parts of

Central America & the Caribbean • Moral Diplomacy

– Sometimes referred to as ‘Missionary Diplomacy’– Deny diplomatic recognition of Latin American

governments that Wilson thought were: corrupt, illegitimate, brutal, anti-democratic

– Mexican Revolution• Supported Carranza to overthrow Huerta (later

supported Villa, and then back to Carranza)• Sent US troops into Mexico to suppress Villa• Wilson became distracted by events in Europe